Tag Archives: hikers

Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: People In Landscape

Canyon Hikers

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Canyon Hikers
“Canyon Hikers” — Two hikers walk along a desert wash between high walls in a Death Valley canyon.

It seems to me that when most people think of Death Valley National Park, the first things that come to mind are familiar desert icons, the sand dunes, with features like salt flats close behind. But the park is remarkably diverse, with other features that would surprise those who don’t know of them. Among them are the park’s canyons, some of which — like this one — feature extremely high walls.

The weather often dictates what we do on any given Death Valley day. On this one we had clouds building towards evening rain, so the light on grand landscape subjects was not especially great. So we decided to visit a canyon or two. This one is fairly accessible so we were most certainly not alone. but at times the other visitors disappeared behind curves in the canyon. I decided to include these two hikers in order to illustrate the size of the canyon.

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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

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Photographs: Nature, Photographs: People In Landscape, Photographs: Scotland, Photographs: Travel

At Arthur’s Seat

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At Arthur's Seat
“At Arthur’s Seat” — Hikers rest and enjoy the view at Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland.

I did not plan to find myself on this summit in Edinburgh. Arthur’s Seat is a landmark here, the summit of a volcanic ridge that rises above the lowlands of the city. It has historical significance — perhaps you can imagine why? — and it is also in the middle of a very large park close to central Edinburgh. I made this photograph at the summit, and you can see that the climb was far from a solitary experience! More about the hike? Read on…

Someone Patty knows heard we were in Edinburgh, knew that we had just hiked the Great Glen Way, and assumed correctly that we were willing to do some walking. He suggested this “little hike,” and his description led us to expect a little nature hike. As we walked from our hotel not far from Edinburgh Castle and spotted a very tall and steep wall to our right we began to wonder what we were getting into! We joined a crowd of people on the hike — many hundreds for sure — as we slowly ascended this stiff climb. If we had known, we might not have done it, but once you get partway up such a thing it is hard to turn back,!

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Nature, Photographs: People In Landscape, Photographs: Scotland, Photographs: Travel

Hikers, Great Glen Way

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Hikers, Great Glen Way
“Hikers, Great Glen Way” — Two hikers at treeline on. a foggy morning along the Great Glen Way, Scotland.

This photograph comes from a section of Scotland’s Great Glen Way between Fort Augustus and Invermoriston This segment includes one of the two highest points on the walk, and is also known for including the “View Catcher” structure. I made the photograph close to that actual high point, on a morning when it was trying to rain and fog was drifting around the peaks and the valley, occasionally blocking the view entirely. As we paused to make photographs — and catch our breath! — another pair of hikers walked by.

The Scottish weather on our trip was actually quite varied. At the start it was, or so we were told, unusually warm and sunny with highs around the 70 degree mark at times. The Scots seemed pleased, if a bit surprised. But things changed a few days into our trek, and there was a fair amount of walking in full rain gear. We hear that this is more typical weather in this part of Scotland.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Bear Gulch Reservoir

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Bear Gulch Reservoir
“Bear Gulch Reservoir” — Spring at Bear Gulch Reservoir, Pinnacles National Park

This small reservoir sits at the upper end of a very popular trail through caves at Pinnacles National Park. The area has been in my consciousness for decades. The caves were perhaps the “main attraction” when my family visited the park (then a national monument) when I was just a kid, so I distinctly remember emerging from the canyon at the upper end of the caves to arrive at this reservoir. I’m not sure of its history, but I suspect that the reservoir has been there a very long time, certainly before it was even a a national monument.

The reservoir is relatively sheltered in the bottom of this canyon, and the water was very still on the day of this recent visit. The surrounding terrain is filled with the pinnacles that give the park its name. If you look closely, you may be able to see a couple of fellow hikers taking a rest in the shade next to the water in the lower left corner of the scene.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.

G Dan Mitchell: Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.